Police who arrested Adam Johnson found ANIMAL PORN and STI medicine stash at his home

SHAMED England and Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson was previously arrested on suspicion of possessing ANIMAL PORN and had medicines for sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) locked in a safe at his country home, it can be revealed today.

The disgraced ex-England winger, who was today jailed for six years for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan, was arrested by police for possession of "extreme pornography involving animals".

A court was told that, when police searched Johnson's computer following his initial arrest on child grooming charges, they found evidence that he had searched the Internet for teenage sex sites.

More alarmingly, they also discovered evidence that the twisted football star had extreme animal porn on his computer. Officers arrested Johnson on suspicion of possessing extreme pornography, and he was only told yesterday that he will face no further action.

It is understood the images found on the computer were of a "jokey" nature. Pre-trial hearings in Johnson's case were also told how police discovered medicines in a safe at his home which indicated he may have been suffering from STIs.

The media were initially banned from reporting these details by a judge over concerns they could prejudice the jury in the main sex case.

Sky News tweeted: "It can now be reported that former Sunderland winger Adam Johnson was also arrested for possession of extreme pornography involving animals."

Earlier today a court heard how Johnson, 28, groomed the besotted fan over social media before agreeing to meet her in his Range Rover to sign her football shirts.

But instead the former football star began a sexual relationship with the girl, kissing and groping her.

Johnson has appeared back at Bradford Court today to learn his fate after he was found guilty of the offence of sexual activity with a child by a jury earlier this month.

The winger had already admitted another count of the same offence, and also grooming the young girl who was besotted with the former Sunderland and Manchester City player.

Johnson, who has been stripped off his England caps as a result of his offences, clasped his hands and stared stared straight ahead wearing a dark blue suit with red tie as he learned his fate.

Summing up this afternoon, Judge Jonathan Rose said: "Your victim was a Sunderland AFC fan. She had a crush on you.

"She had only just turned 15 when you began to groom her because you found her sexually attractive.

"You continued in grooming even after you had engaged in sexual activity with her."

He added that Johnson's messages were "testing the waters to see how far you could go", and that he continued to groom the long fan over a period of time in an attempt to have sex with her.

Judge Rose added: "You googled age of consent at Sunderland's changing room because you wanted sexual activity with the schoolgirl.

"You were having multiple sexual partners. She was just another girl for you to get with."

During the trial, the jury heard the pair began exchanging hundreds of messages over social media during the New Year's celebrations in 2015.

She made it clear she was a Year 10 student during their conversations, but everyone thought she looked older, and the fervent Sunderland season ticket holder also congratulated Johnson on the birth of his daughter.

Prosecutor Kate Blackwell QC said: "She often waited for him after home matches, hoping to catch a glimpse of him before he drove away, keen for any contact, an autograph or, even better, a photograph.

"She had one enormous crush on him. He was her absolute hero. She idolised him."

The pair eventually agreed to meet up in the star's Range Rover by a Chinese takeaway near her home in County Durham so he could sign a football shirt.

But it was when they met for a second time that he asked for his "thank you kiss" and drove them to a more secluded location.

The girl told the jury how the player, who earned £60,000-a-week with Sunderland, digitally penetrated her after putting his hands down her pants and that she then gave him oral sex.

After this second encounter on January 30, he exchanged further messages with the young girl.

In one, Johnson told her: "It was class."

He added: "Just wanted to get your jeans off, LOL."

The court heard the girl replied: "Next time."

The jury acquitted him of the count involving oral sex, but found him guilty on a majority of 10-2 on the count relating to the digital penetration.

Summing up today, Miss Blackwell added: “This is not a fleeting contact or a fleeting offence, an isolated episode of messages with (victim). These offences were calculated, considered and carefully orchestrated.

“The Crown says he continues to present a risk to those in the victim’s position.”

The prosecutor also told the court that Johnson had a history of meeting girls for sex, describing it as a “clandestine habit”.

A report from Dr Hockley who spoke to Adam Johnson ahead of today's sentencing explained he saw his victim as “just another girl, just another opportunity” to have sex.

He added that Johnson told him he “put her age out of his mind”, as he thought she had the appearance of a young woman rather than a child.

Orlando Pownall QC, defending, asked the court to be “proportionate” in sentencing and said the counsel “does not seek to quibble” over what the prosecution has put to the court.

He also asked the judge not to get “carried away” when sentencing.

But the judge concluded his young victim had suffered "severe psychological harm" because of his actions.

He sentenced the former England player to six years in prison for grooming and sexual activity with a child.

A restraining order has been put against him to prevent him from contacting his victim, and the 28-year-old must sign the Sex Offenders register for life.

The footballer must also pay £50,000 towards the total prosecution costs, which came to £67,000.

Detective Inspector Aelfwynn Sampson, of Durham Constabulary, said the "carefully considered and significant sentence" sent out a "clear message".

"This girl should have been safe but she was used by the public figure she looked up to most," she said.

"I hope today will bring some closure for her and her family.

"This case demonstrates that victims of these crimes will be taken seriously and perpetrators will be dealt with robustly."

A Facebook page that has nearly 5,000 followers has been set up in support of Johnson, and police have taken action against a man who was allegedly harassing Johnson's teenage victim online.

A £10 million signing, Johnson helped the Wearside team avoid relegation from the Premier League last year.

But after his trial ended, a row broke out over how much his former club knew about the abuse before sacking him after his guilty pleas.

The club later said it was "so very sorry" for letting down their 15-year-old fan and chief executive Margaret Byrne, who later resigned, admitted "a serious error of judgment" in advising the board that the star winger could carry on playing after he was initially suspended last March.